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Week 2
Text: 2 Timothy 2:16–3:17
Topic: Bible Study
Big Idea of the Message: (Observation) Reading Scripture within the context in which it was written helps us correctly interpret the meaning.
Using the proper tools to find the intended meaning—without inserting our message into a passage—lets God’s message influence our lives.
Application Point: Rightly understanding the context and message of Scripture allows us to stand firm in our faith on a foundation of truth and to better understand God’s message and purposes.
Sermon Ideas and Talking Points:
1. Observation is the O in SOAP.
As you lead your church through this portion of the SOAP method of Bible study, be sure to have Bible study tools available for them to use.
Examples may include a concordance, Bible commentaries, Bible handbooks, varying versions of the Bible, a Bible dictionary, and/or biblical language helps.
Spend time explaining the resources and when and why they are helpful.
Using Bible concordances
Ever wonder where a word is in the Bible or how often a word is used?
This is where a concordance enters the equation.
A concordance is an “index of words used by an author” (Encarta Dictionary).
It’s probably the most common Bible study tool, outside of a Bible version itself.
The most well-known one is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, which also assigns a number to each word (commonly recognized by other word study sources).
One of the benefits of Strong’s Concordance is that it typically provides the pronunciation (or phonetic spelling) of the Hebrew or Greek word.
Additionally, it spells the Hebrew or Greek word in English (a.k.a.
transliteration).
Another concordance that does this is Englishman’s Concordance.
Strong’s also provides root words, enabling one to trace the origins of a word.
To demonstrate the benefits of a concordance, let’s consider
Acts 12:4:
“And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (KJV).
Strong’s Concordance indicates that the Greek word for “Easter” is pascha (#3957), which is pronounced, “pas'-khah.”
And it refers to “Passover.”
All other places this word is used it is translated Passover.
Therefore, the correct word for Acts 12:4 is also “Passover.”
This is the rendering in the NKJV and most translations (whether word-for-word or thought-for-thought).
Types of Commentaries
Through a personal narrative, Bible commentaries provide deeper understanding and insight into the Bible, and can be used to assist both casual readers of the Bible and those who pursue serious study.
Bible commentaries are typically organized passage by passage (book, chapter, and verse) through the Bible.
This system of analysis is called “versification” of the biblical text.
Commentaries are meant to be used alongside the Bible text to offer deeper insight, explanation, illustration, and historical background.
Some commentaries also feature detailed introductions to the books of the Bible.
In general, there are four types of Bible commentaries, each useful for the intended purpose to aid in the study of Scripture.
Commentaries often analyze or expound on individual books of the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse.
Some commentary works provide analysis of the whole of Scripture.
The earliest Bible commentaries contained narratives or historical accounts of the Scriptures.
Expository Commentaries
Expository commentaries are typically written by pastors and expository Bible teachers who teach verse by verse through the Bible.
These commentaries usually include teaching notes, outlines, illustrations and practical applications of the authors' study and teaching on the books of the Bible.
Example: The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament
Exegetical Commentaries
Exegetical commentaries are typically written by Bible scholars and theologians.
They are more technical or academic in nature, concentrating on the original languages, context or grammar of the text.
These commentaries are written by some of the most knowledgeable theologians in church history.
Example: Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
Devotional Commentaries
Devotional commentaries are designed to enhance the readers' personal reflection and practical application of the Bible text.
They are geared for times of soul-searching and listening for the voice and heart of God through the text.
Example: The 365 Day Devotional Commentary
Cultural Commentaries
Cultural commentaries are meant to help readers gain an understanding of the cultural background of the Bible text.
Example: The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
Online Commentaries
The following websites offer a wide range of free online Bible commentaries:
BibleStudyTools.com
BibleGateway
Bible Hub
Blue Letter Bible
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
StudyLight.org
2. The primary tool in helping accurately interpret the Bible is an understanding of context.
To understand the meaning of a passage it is important to know the basic background of what you are reading.
Just as we don’t start a novel in the middle of a chapter, we shouldn’t treat the Bible that way.
Encourage your congregation to learn the historical background of the text, who the author is, and to whom the author is writing.
There are additional important factors when properly evaluating a passage: the cultural context, the genre of writing, and literal and figurative writing styles.
3.
In the book of 2 Timothy, we know that Paul is writing specifically to Timothy, his young protégé.
It is a loving letter to a friend and coworker, urging him to stay faithful to the gospel, even if things get hard.
The letter is even more meaningful when we realize that Paul is speaking out of his own experience, writing this letter while imprisoned.
The passage begins with an introduction of two people, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have strayed from the truth and are spreading bad teaching (2:16–18), but Paul says, “God’s solid foundation stands firm” (v.
19).
Even within the church, there can be bad theology.
It is important for a believer to be discerning.
While most pastors and teachers will work hard to teach truth, it is our personal responsibility to ensure that the things we believe, or are encouraged to believe, align with Scripture.
The only way to know that is to know the Bible, the foundation of our faith.
Dr. William Evans, who pastored College Church from 1906–1909, was an unusually accomplished man.
He had the entire King James Version of the Bible memorized as well as the New Testament of the American Standard Version.
Dr.
Evans also authored over fifty books.
His son, Louis, became one of the best-known preachers in America and for many years pastored the eminent First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.
When Dr. William Evans retired, he moved to Hollywood to be near his son, and when Louis was away he would substitute for him.
One unforgettable Sunday Dr. William, as he was affectionately called, spoke on the virgin birth.
All were amazed when he raised his Bible and tore out the pages that narrate the birth of the Lord.
As the tattered scraps floated down toward the congregation, he shouted, “If we can’t believe in the virgin birth, let’s tear it out of the Bible!”
And then as he drove home his point, he tore out the resurrection chapters, then the miracle narratives, then anything conveying the supernatural.
The floor was littered with mutilated pages.
Finally, with immense drama he held up the only remaining portion and said, “And this is all we have left—the Sermon on the Mount.
And that has no authority for me if a divine Christ didn’t preach it.”
After a few more words, he asked his listeners to bow for the benediction.
But before he could pray, a man in that vast and sedate congregation stood and cried, “No, no! Go on!
We want more!” Several others joined in.
So Dr.
Evans preached for another fifty minutes.
Dr.
Evans was right.
You cannot pick and choose from the Bible what you want to believe is inspired.
The Bible does not present itself that way.
Even more, the Bible will have no sustaining power for life if you make yourself the arbiter of what you will and will not believe about it.
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